Tank car washer



NOV. 10, 1931. F. PARIS 1,831,029

K TANK CAR` WASHER Filed Aug. 12. 1929 Nov. 1o, 1931. F. H. PARIS 1,831,029

TANK CAR WSHER l Filed Aug. l2, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 TANK CAR WASHE-R Filed Aug. 12, 1929 4 sheets-sheet 34 SS l' Nov. 110, 1931. F. H. PARIS 1,831,029

TANK CAR WASHER Filed Aug. 12, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Qzvrez Z071 76 6g Patented -Nov. 10, 1931iv UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRED H. PARIS, OF ALTON, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T STANDARD OIL COMPANY, OF

WHITING, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF INDIANA TANK CAR WASHER Application med August v12, 1929. Serial No. 385,831.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in mechanism for washing the interior of all types of receptacles or tanks and is particularly adapted to be used in connection with railway tank cars employed Vfor the transportation of hydrocarbon oils. l

This invention will be fully understood from the following description illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which l Figure 1 `,is a vertical cross-sectional view Fig. 6 isran enlarged fragmentar sectional view of the upper portion of the evice; Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 9 of Fi 1;

Fig. l0 is an elevational view of a suitable means for connecting the conduit which supplies washing fluid to the washer.

Referring more particularly to the draw.

ings: The numeral 20 designates a cylindrical tank of the type used on the standard railway tank car. This type of tank is provided with an upper dome 2l which is located substan'tially in the middle of the tank and which is provided with a manhole 22 adapted to be closed by a cover 23. The cover 23 1s secured in closed. position by one or more swing bolts 24. v

The washing device of the presentinvention is designated as a whole at 25, and comprises a drum-like housing 26 rotatably mounted upon a tubular shaft 27. The upper portion of the shaft 27 is secured to a circular plate 28 by a bracket 29. The plate 28 serves to close the manhole 22 and at the same time functions to .support the washing device within the tank 20. Each side of the housing 26 is provided with a nozzle 30, which nozzles vare adapted to be pivoted in a vertical plane relative to thehousing, and rotated .in the line of their axes. It is to be noted that the nozzles 30 are somewhat curvedat their ends.V Thev washing fluid is supplied to the device through the tubular shaft 27 which is provided with a plurality of ports 31 which com-y w municate with the interior ofthe housing 26. The washing fluid is. discharged from the interior of the housing through 'the nozzles 30. l

The housing 26 comprises a cylindrical as body portion 32, the ends ofpwhich are closed by a pair of circular plates 33 which are removably secured by means of a plurality of tiebolts 34. 'The housing` 26 is rotated v to the tubular shaft 27 by means of the folt6 lowing mechanism. A pair of turbine wheels 35, provided vwith a plurality of blades 36,

are mounted within the housing upon opposite sides of the tubular shaft 27. The turbine wheels 35 are mounted upon a shaft 37. t6

- The middle portion of the shaft 37 is pro" vided with a worm 39 which enga es a worm gear 40 keyed to the tubular sha 27 The turbine shaft 37 is journaled in bearings 4L which bearings are carried in a pair ofspider so plates 42. These spider plates 42 'are secured to the housing side plates 33 by a plurality of screws 43. The side plates 33 are provided with central apertures which are somewhat larger in diameter than are the bearings 41 a of the spider plates 42. -The ends of the turbine shaft 37 protrudebeyond the bearings 41 and through the apertures in the side lates to apoint outside the side walls 33, eac end of the shaft 37 being provided with a small 9@ pinion'or miter gear 44. Each miter gear 44 meshes with a larger bevel ,gear 45 carried by the inner end of each of the -nozzles 30, each nozzle beingsuitably journaled in a leakproof mannerin one end of a right-angled 95 hollow elbow member 46. The other end of each of .theelbows 46 li-s-jou'rna-led on the housing side plates 33 in `a leak-proof manner. Inv the construction shown., .al split annular ring 47 is securedtothe housing side plate 33 100 by the screws 43. This ring 47 is provided with an offset ange 48 which engages an annular flange 49 ormed on the'elbow 46. `If desired, these flanges may have a ground fit or a suitable between them. f

From the foregoing description it. will be seen that when the turbine wheels35 are rotated, the worm 39 will drive against the worm gear 40 to rotate the housing 26 upon the tubular shaft 27 At the same time the 4 pinion gears 44 will drive the bevel gears 45 causing the nozzles 3Q to rotate upon their The turbines are driven by the cleaning lar shaft 27 is journaled within the box.48, the -box being provided-with a chamber`49 which communicates with the ports 31. A pair-of passages 50 lead from the chamber '49. The mouths of each of these passages` 50 are positioned adjacent the blade ath of each of the turbine wheels 35, where y the cleaning or washing iluid will bedi'rected in streams against the blades 360i the turbines. The box 48 may be provided with suitable packing 51 surrounding the tubular shaft 27, the packing being retained Yby glandplates 52. The lower portion of the housing 26 is journaled upon the shaft 27 'b means of'a box 53 secured to the cylin rical member 32. The lower end of the shaft 27 protrudes below the box 53 and is closedbymeansof a cap 54 which functions as a thrust bearing between the shaft 27 and the box 53. A leak-proof seal is provided between the box 53 and the shaft 27 by a packing 55 retained by a gland plate 56.

A plurality of stationary blades 60 are carried by the side walls 33, and are disposed immediately adjacent the blades 36 of the turbines 35. A series of curved delectors 61 are mounted between each of the blades 60, so

Athat the -iuid discharged from between the means of the-"followin turbine blades 36, and caught between the blades 60, will-be directed in a path between the outside of the turbines 35 and the side plates 33 tothe elbows 46 and the nozzles 30. Thenozzles 30 are lowered or elevated b v structure. The e .bows 46vv are each provided with a -gear62 -e'a'chl of which is engaged by one of va. pair of toothed racks 63 secured to the housing 26 for vertical slidin movement relative thereto. The upper en s 64 of the rack 63 are each connected to one of a pair of oppositely extendingarms' provided on the sleeve 66 packing may be interposed attach a flexible washing iuid suppl journaled upon the shaft` 27 for rotatable and slidable m'ovement relative thereto. T he uppe'r end of the, sleeve 66 is provided with a horizontally extending Han e 67. A split collar 68 is journaled on the s eeve 66, and is retained against vertical movement relative thereto yby the iange 67 and the arms 65. A

pair .of rods 69 are connected at their lower ends to the collar 68 and are connected at their upper ends yto a split collar 70. .The collar 70 is provided wit a. oove 71 which engages an annular iiange 2 formed on a hub 73 of a hand wheel 74. The collar 7 0 is journaled on the hub 73. The hub 73 is provided with a threaded 'borewhich engages the threads 75 formed upon the upper portion of the tubular shaft 27. One or more suitable guide brackets 7 6 ma be mounted uponthe shaft 27 to guide or race the rods 69. By means of the foregoing structure, the elbows 46 may be rotated to cause `the nozzles 30 to be pointed upwardly or downwardly, as desired, by rotating the hand wheel74.

Thel upper end of the tubular shaft 27 is provided with a suitable handle 77 which is used when inserting the washing device into the tank'to be was ed. In oi'der to quickly conduit 78'to the tubular shaft 27, the 77 is provided -with a hub 79 which is firmly secured to the shaft 27. The handle 77 normall is free to rotate upon this' ,hub 79, the han le being secured thereto by means of a flanged nipple 80 which has threaded en gagement with the hub 79. The upper side of the handle 77 is provided with a threaded bore 81 `adapted to receive the threaded end of a hose connecting nipple 82. Thus by rotating the handle 77, the flexible conduit7 8 may be rapidly connected with,` or disconnected from, the washing device. The operation of the devicel should be apparent from the foregoing description.' An

suitable cleaning fluid, such afs hot water, oil. or chemical solution, may be forced into the tubular sha'ft 27. The'iuid is discharged from thepassages 50 causing the turbine wheels 35 to rotate. vThe liquid then-Hows out the nozzles 30. The rotation ofthe turi bines 35 causes thehousing 26 ,to rotate around the shaft 27 so that the streams of liquid issued from the n'ozzle`s`30 will be directed in all 'directions in a horizontal plane. The rotation of the turbines also causes the nozzles to be rotated. upontheir axes. The slight curve at the ends of the nozzles causes the stream of liquid `from each nozzle to travel in a circular path during the rotation of the nozzles' upon their axes, so that a substantial portion of the tank Walls will be washed with one adjustment of the nozzle elevating means. As theJ various upper or lowerportions have been cleaned, the nozzles may bev elevated or lowered-at will, merely by turning `the hand wheel 74. y

andle Q The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understandin only and no unnecessary limitations should be construed therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

I claim: 1

1. In a device for washing the interior of closed receptacles, a. support adapted to be placed within the receptacle to be washed, a

ousing rotatably mounted upon said support, means for supplying, under pressure, a washing fluid to the interiorof said housing, a nozzlejournaled on said housing and adapted to be pointed in several directions relative to said housing, said nozzle having communication with the interior of said housing-whereby a stream of the washingfluid is discharged from said nozzle, means for rotating said housing lupon said support and means for selectively pointing said nozzle in any one of its several directions during the rotation of said housing upon said support.

2. In a device for washing the interior of closed receptacles, a support adapted to be placed within the receptacle to be washed, a housing rotatably mounted upon said support, means for supplying, under pressure, a washing fluid to the interior of said housing, a nozzle journaled on said housing and adapted to be pointed in several directions relative to said housing, said nozzle having communication with the interior of said housing whereby a stream of thewashing fluid is discharged from said nozzle, means for rotating said housing upon said support and means for selectively pointing said nozzle in any one of its several directions during the rotation of said housing upon said support, said means comprising a toothed rack and a gear on said nozzle meshing with the teeth on said rack.

3. In a device for washing the interior of closed receptacles, a support adapted to be laced within the receptacle to be washed, a

ousing carried by, said support, means for supply1ng,`under pressure, a washing fluid to the interior of said housing, a nozzle journaled on said housing constructed and arranged to be pointed in several directions relative to said housing and rotated on its longitudinal axis, said nozzle being in communication with the interior of said housing and having its orifice inclined at an angle relative to its longitudinal axis, means for pointing said nozzle in its several directions, and mechanism,foperated` by the flow of the washing fluid through said housing, for axially rotating said nozzle.

4. In a device for `washing the interior of closed receptacles, a supportadapted to be placed within the receptacle .to be washed, a housing journaled on said support, means for supplying, under pressure, a washing fluid to the interior of said housing, a nozzle journaled on said housing constructed and longitudinal axis of said nozzle, means for pointing said nozzle in its several directions, and mechanism, operated by the ow of the washing fluid through said housing, for axially rotating "said nozzle and for rotating said housing relative to said support.

5. In a device for washing the interior of;

closed receptacles, a support adapted to be placed within the receptacle to be Washed a housing journaled on said support, means or supplying, under pressure, a washing fluid to the interior of said housing, a discharge for said housing whereby a stream of the washing fluid issues from said housing, a shaft journaled within said housin and having an axis of rotation which is sustantially at right angles to the axis of rotation of said housin upon said support, a rotatable turbine W eel secured to said shaft within said housing and adapted to be driven by the washing fluid yflowing therethrough, and driving means between said shaft andsaid support whereby said housing is rotated relative to said support.

6. In a device for washing the interior of closed receptacles, a support adapted to be placed within the receptacle to be washed, a housing ournaled on said support, means for supplying, under pressure, a washing fluid to the interior of said housing, a nozzle carried by said housing and havin communication with the interior thereo whereby a stream ofthe Washing fluid is dischar ed from said housing a shaft journaled Wit in said housincr and having an axis of rotation which is substantially at right angles to the axis ofl rotation of said housing upon said support, a rotatable turbine wheel securedto said'shaft within said housing and adapted to be rotated by the washing fluid flowing through said housing, a Worm secured to sai-d shaft, and a worm gear secured to said support and engaged by said worin, whereby said housing is rotated relative to said support upon the rotation of said turbine wheel and said shaft. r

7. In a device for Washing the interior of closed receptacles, a support adapted to be laced Within the receptacle to be washed, a

ousing carried by said support, means -for supplying, under pressure, a washing fluid to the interior of said housing, a nozzle journaled on each of opposite sides of saidhousing for rotation relative to said housing, each of said nozzles having communication with the interior of said housing whereby a stream of the washing fluid is discharged through each of said nozzles, a shaft journaled in said housing and provided at each of its ends with a gear, a rotatable element secured to said shaft within said housin and adapted to be driven by the washing uid flowing therethrough whereby said shaft is rotated, and

a gear secured to each of said nozzles, one of.

said last named gears meshing with the gear on one end of said shaft and the other of said last named gears meshing with the gear on the other end of said shaft whereby said nozzles are rotated.

8. In a device for washing the interior of closed receptacles, a support adapted to be placed within the receptacle to be washed, a housing journaled on said support, means for supplying, under pressure, a washing fluid to the interior of said housing, a nozzle journaled on said housing for axial rotation, said nozzle having communication with the interior of said housing whereby a stream of the washing fluid isdischarged through said nozzle. a shaft journaled within said housing and having an axis of rotation which issubstantially at right' angles to the axis of rota. tion of said housing upon said support a rotatable turbine wheel secured to sa'id shaft within said housing and adapted to be rotated by the washing fluid flowing through said housing, 'driving connections between said shaft and said nozzle, and driving connections between said shaft and said support comprising a worm carried by said shaft and a worm-gear carried by said support, whereby said nozzle will be rotated axially and said housing will be rotated relative to said support, upon the rotation of said turbine wheel and said shaft. l

9. In a device for Washing the interior of closed receptacles, a support adapted to be placed within the receptacle to be washed, a housing journaled on said support, means tor supplying, under pressure. a washing fiuid to the interior of said' housing, a nozzle journaled on said housing for axial rotation, said nozzle having communication with the interior of said housin whereby a stream of the washing iiuid is discharged through said nozzle, a shaft journaied within said housing and having an axis of rotation which is substantially at right angles to the axis of rotation of said housing upon said support, a rotatable turbine wheel secured to said shaft Within said housing and adapted to-be rotated by the washing fluid owing through said housing, and means for axially rotating the nozzle and rotating the housing relative to said support, comprising, a gear secured to said shaft, a gear carried by said nozzle and having engagement with the gear on said shaft, a worm secured to said shaft, and a Worm gear secured to said support and having engagement with said worm.

l0. ln a device for Washing the interior of closed receptacles, a housing, means for supplying, under pressure, a Washing fluid to the interior of said housing, a nozzle journaled in said housing for rotation upon its longitudinal axis and adapted to be pointed in several directions relative to said housing during rotation of said nozzle, said nozzle being in communication with the interior of said housing and having its discharge orifice inclined relative to its axis of rotation, means for pointing said nozzle in any one of4 its several directions, and means for rotating said nozzle upon its longitudinal axis While` it is pointed in any one of its several directions.

11. In a device for washing the-interior of closed receptacles, a support, a housing rotatably mounted upon said support, means for supplying under pressure, a washing Huid to the interior of said housing, a nozzle journaled in said housing for lrotation upon its longitudinal axis and adapted to be pointed in several directions relative to said housing during rotation of said nozzle, said nozzle being incommunication with the interior of said housing and having itsdischa-rge orifice inclined relative to its axis of rotation, means for pointing said nozzle in any one of its several directions, means for rotating said nozzle upon its longitudinal axis while it is pointed in any one of its several directions, and means for rotating said housing upon said support.

12. In a device for washing the interior of closed receptacles, a support, a housing rotatably mounted upon said support, means for supplying, under pressure, a washing iiuid to the interior of said housing, a nozzle journaled in said housing for rotation upon its longitudinal axis and adapted to be pointed in several directions relative to said housing during rotation of said nozzle, said nozzle being in communication with the interior of said housing and having its discharge orifice inclined relative to its axis of rota-A tion, means for pointing said nozzle in any one of its several directions, and mechanism, operated by the iiow of the Washing Huid through said housing, for axially rotating said nozzle and for rotating said housing upon said support.

13. n a device for washing the interior of closed receptacles, a support adapted to be placed within the receptacle to be washed, a housing journaled on said support, means for supplying, under pressure. a washing iuid to the interior of said housing,'a nozzle journaled on said housing and adapted to be pointed in several directions relative to said housing, said nozzle having communication with the interior of said housing whereby a stream of the washing fluid is discharged from said nozzle, means operated by the flow of fiuid through said housing for rotating said housing upon said support, and means for selectively pointing said nozzle in any one of its several directions during the rotatien of said housing upon said support.

14. In a device for washing the interior of closed receptacles, a support adapted to be placed within the receptacle to be washed, a'housing rotatably mounted upon said sup- .5 port', means for supplying, under pressure, a washing Huid to the interior of said housing, a nozzle jounaled on said housing and adapted to be pointed in several directions relative to saidhousing, said nozzle having 10 communication with the interior of said housing whereby a stream of the'washing {iuid is discharged from said nozzle, means operated by the fiow of fluid through said housing for rotating said housing upon said 5 support, and means for selectively pointing said nozzle in any one of its several directions during the rotation of said housing upon said support, said means comprising a toothed rack and a gear n said nozzle o meshing with the teeth on said rack.

FRED lH. PARIS. 

